Historical reenactments can deepen our relationship to history

This hour is all about historical reenactments. We look at the role reenactments play in helping us understand or experience history. We talk with reenactors about what draws them to this and what their experiences are like.

Plus, reenactments aren’t just about the acting but the costumes and the props. We hear from a tailor who creates custom clothing using traditional materials and methods to create true-to-history costuming. We also talk about experimental archeology and the stone-aged tools used by our predecessors. How were those tools made? And by recreating them, what can we learn about history, evolution, and psychology?

GUESTS: 

• Brad Keefer: Professor of history at Kent State University, who is also an active Civil War and colonial period living historian
• Metin Erin: Associate professor in the department of anthropology at Kent State University and co-director of The Kent State University Experimental Archaeology Laboratory 
• Michelle Bebber: Associate professor in the department of anthropology at Kent State University and co-director of The Kent State University Experimental Archaeology Laboratory 
• Ian Graves: Tailor and owner of Royal Blue Traders, who specializes in American Revolutionary War clothing
• J.R. Hardman: Associate producer at PBS Utah, and a Civil War reenactor, who is directing and producing the documentary Reenactress

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Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.

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